Social Media and Photography Trends Every Brand Must Follow

Wondering how social media & photography go hand in hand in 2025? From raw, behind-the-scenes snaps to curated carousels, photography in social media is no longer just about looking good, it’s about connecting, converting, and telling your story in seconds. Social media and photography have evolved together, shaping the way brands present themselves online. As platforms change, so do the trends that drive engagement. Whether you’re building a personal brand or managing a business account, staying ahead of these trends is key to creating content that gets noticed.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the biggest photography trends taking over social media right now. You’ll learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to create visuals that are both on-trend and on-brand.

Top Social Media and Photography Trends in 2025

The world of social media is always moving, but 2025 has brought some standout trends that brands should take seriously. These aren’t just passing fads, they reflect how audiences interact with content today. Here are the biggest trends you need to know:

1. Photo Carousels That Tell a Story

Single images still work, but photo carousels are taking over. Whether it’s a behind-the-scenes journey, a step-by-step how-to, or a day-in-the-life format, storytelling through multiple images helps boost time spent on posts and improves engagement. Each slide should add value, not just take up space.

2. Authentic Over Perfect

Gone are the days of ultra-polished, magazine-style shoots. Today, raw, unfiltered, and imperfect images feel more real and that’s exactly what audiences want. Think natural lighting, minimal edits, and everyday scenes that feel relatable. This trend is especially strong in photography on social media like Instagram Stories and Reels covers.

3. Vertical First, Always

Because most users scroll on their phones, vertical photography is now the gold standard. It fills the screen and demands attention. Whether you’re shooting a product, a person, or a place, framing it vertically means your content works harder on mobile.

4. AI-Enhanced Editing

AI tools like Luminar Neo or built-in editing features in Canva are helping brands speed up the content process. Quick touch-ups, background removal, and smart filters mean better photos in less time, all without needing a full studio setup.

5. User-Generated Content with a Brand Twist

Brands are encouraging customers to share their own photos featuring products or services. But now, they’re taking it a step further by resharing with consistent filters, overlays, or branded templates to keep things cohesive. It’s authentic content with a polished feel.

6. Mood-Driven Minimalism

Photography in social media is shifting towards simple, emotionally driven visuals. Instead of text-heavy graphics, we’re seeing more photos that evoke a feeling. Clean backdrops, muted tones, and natural textures are dominating feeds in fashion, lifestyle, and hospitality.

These trends are more than just visual preferences, they’re clues into how people are feeling, what they value, and how they engage with content. Understanding them helps you create photography and social media content that’s not just seen but remembered.

Want more social trends that will dominate in 2025 – read here!

Photography on Social Media: What Performs Best Right Now

Not every photo gets noticed, and with so much content flying past in every scroll, the details really do matter. If you’re aiming for more likes, shares, and saves, here’s what’s currently performing best when it comes to photography and social media:

Faces and Real Emotions

Photos featuring people, especially close-up shots with visible emotions, consistently outperform those without. Smiles, laughter, thoughtful moments, and candid expressions all help humanise your content and create connection.

Portrait (Vertical) Orientation

If your content isn’t mobile-optimised, it’s losing impact. Vertical images take up more screen space on phones, which means they’re more likely to grab attention and keep viewers engaged for longer. Stick to a 4:5 or full-portrait ratio whenever possible.

Bold and Simple Composition

Busy visuals tend to get skipped. Instead, photos with a clear subject, clean background, and a simple layout get better engagement. Use negative space to draw focus and make your image breathe.

High Contrast and Natural Lighting

Photos with strong lighting and good contrast are easier to see and process quickly, especially while scrolling. Natural light often works best. It’s flattering, soft, and doesn’t require extra gear.

Real Moments Over Staged Content

There’s a growing trend away from perfectly posed shots. Instead, brands are embracing action shots, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and spontaneous captures. It helps audiences feel like they’re part of your world, not just watching it.

Consistent Colour Tones

A visually cohesive feed keeps people exploring your content. Use similar tones, filters, or editing styles across your images to give everything a consistent feel without being repetitive.

When planning your visual content, remember this: it’s not about being the most artistic. It’s about being seen and remembered. These proven elements help photography in social media platforms stand out, even in a crowded feed.

Tips for Aligning Your Photography and Social Media Strategy

Creating great photos is only half the job. If they don’t fit into a clear content strategy, they can end up feeling random or off-brand. To get the most out of your visuals, here’s how to make sure your photography and social media efforts are working together:

1. Build a Visual Identity

Choose a style that reflects your brand and stick to it. This includes your colour palette, filters, lighting style, and subject matter. Whether you’re fun and vibrant or sleek and minimal, your images should reflect that across every platform.

2. Plan Photos Around Your Content Calendar

Your photography should support what you’re posting about. If you’re promoting a seasonal product, campaign, or event, make sure your photos are created with that in mind. Avoid scrambling at the last minute with rushed content.

3. Mix Professional with Relatable

Yes, polished photos are great. But social media thrives on real, in-the-moment content too. Combine professionally shot images with authentic day-to-day content taken in the moment. It keeps things fresh and shows the human side of your brand.

4. Make the Most of Your Camera Roll

Some of your best content might already be on your phone. Behind-the-scenes snaps, team shots, event moments, these add personality and connect you with your audience. Just clean them up with a quick edit to match your brand style.

5. Know When to DIY and When to Call in the Pros

There’s nothing wrong with doing it yourself, especially with today’s tech. But for high-stakes campaigns or key brand visuals, it might be worth bringing in a professional photographer. They’ll help you get consistent results and higher production value when it matters most.

Photography in social media is about balance. You want your feed to feel thoughtful but not forced, professional but still personal. When your visuals match your message, you’re on the right track.

Read our latest blog on Gen Z vs Millennial trends!

Let’s Make Your Social Media and Photography Work Together

If there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s social media & photography are no longer separate. They fuel each other. Strong visuals drive engagement, and smart strategies give those visuals purpose. Staying on top of trends like vertical framing, raw storytelling, and visual consistency isn’t about copying what everyone else is doing. It’s about creating content that feels right for your brand, your audience, and your goals. And you don’t need a big budget or a full production team to make it happen.

At Delivered Social, we help brands of all sizes take their social media content to the next level. Whether you need help building a visual identity, creating content that performs, or simply knowing what works best on each platform, we’re here to guide you.